Rolling Stone article on Al Gore

[welshTerrier2]

i will say this about Al Gore, he has "web sizzle" ... if he jumps in, he will clearly be a force to be reckoned with ...

i will also say this: this is a critical time in this country. what happens over the next month or so could shape our future for generations. we must stop bush's madness and gain control of our government. anyone who chooses to run, it seems to me, has an obligation to lead and guide and battle at this critical time. if Al Gore plans to "get in", he owes us his voice now. this is about more than political strategy, much more. this is about "the real stuff".

Gore deserves a world of credit for his heroic efforts on global warming. but as a candidate, he needs to join the fray on Iraq. the time is now; not 6 months or a year from now.


source: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/13248532/why_gore_should_run__and_how_he_can_win/1

If the Democrats were going to sit down and construct the perfect candidate for 2008, they'd be hard-pressed to improve on Gore. Unlike Hillary Clinton, he has no controversial vote on Iraq to defend. Unlike Barack Obama and John Edwards, he has extensive experience in both the Senate and the White House. He has put aside his wooden, policy-wonk demeanor to emerge as the Bush administration's most eloquent critic. And thanks to An Inconvenient Truth, Gore is not only the most impassioned leader on the most urgent crisis facing the planet, he's also a Hollywood celebrity, the star of the third-highest-grossing documentary of all time.

"He's perceived very differently now than he was six years ago," says Frank Luntz, the Republican consultant who advised George W. Bush to dispute global warming during the 2000 and 2004 elections. "He's an icon. Imagine that: Al Gore, Mr. Straight and Narrow, Mr. Dull on Wheels -- now he's culturally cool."

Indeed, Gore is unique among the increasingly crowded field of Democratic contenders. He has the buzz to beat Obama, the substance to supplant Hillary, and enough stature to enter the race late in the game and still raise the millions needed to mount a successful campaign. "Very few people who run for president can just step in when they want, with a superstar, titanic presence," says James Carville, the dean of Democratic strategists. "But Gore clearly is one of those. He's going to run, and he's going to be formidable. If he didn't run, I'd be shocked." <skip>

But the nation's most experienced political strategists agree that Gore is carefully laying the groundwork for a possible run. "He's running in a nontraditional way, which has been powerful," says Bill Carrick, a veteran Democratic consultant. "It has made him look much more interesting than if he had just been the former vice president sitting out there and thinking about a run." <skip>

Gore's biggest opponent for the nomination would likely be Hillary Clinton -- and no one in the current field of Democrats is better situated to capitalize on her weaknesses than Gore. In September 2002, just before Clinton and every other Democrat who hoped to run for president voted to authorize the war in Iraq, Gore gave a no-holds-barred speech inveighing against the invasion. "The chaos in the aftermath of a military victory in Iraq," he warned, "could easily pose a far greater danger to the United States than we presently face from Saddam." <skip>

Gore's deep ties to online activists could neutralize Clinton's greatest advantage: her fund-raising prowess. Gore retains a network of big-dollar donors from his 2000 campaign, and many of the party's biggest funders are reportedly sitting on their checkbooks, waiting to see if he enters the race. "If Howard Dean could raise $59 million on the Internet," says Carrick, "the mind boggles as to what Al Gore might do." Joe Trippi, who managed Dean's campaign, believes Gore could raise as much as $200 million on the Internet: "Gore may have more money than anybody within days of entering the race." <skip>

This, agrees Luntz, is Gore's greatest draw. "Democratic voters in 2008 are not only looking to turn back the last eight years, but to erase the last eight years," he says. "If I were working for Gore, I'd message around a single word: Imagine. 'Imagine if I'd been president instead of George W. Bush. Imagine where we'd be today.'"

lot's more here ...

[durrrty libby]

1. Thanks..love him

[RoyGBiv]

2. First time I've said something like this ...

I'm purposely remaining non-committal on candidates, in part because I want to see how they construct their campaign machinery and their presentation of issues. In short, I want to know more about how the candidate will work in addition to what he or she tells me he or she thinks.

But, as a person who was most assuredly not a Gore fan in 2000, even though I held my nose and voted for him in the general election, I very much wish he would throw his hat in the ring. He would inspire something in me that has never occurred: support for a primary candidate over a year before the actual election.

He's not the perfect candidate nor the individual who expresses my ideals most closely, but for reasons articulated with this article, I am coming to believe he might be the best candidate.

[Redneck Socialist]

6. Heh, I hear ya

I volunteered heavily for Bradley back in 2000. Like you I was no fan of Gore's, now, well, I'd be all over him if he throws his hat in the ring.

[RoyGBiv]

11. I liked Bradley ...

I liked him quite a lot. I hate to say that I predicted his downfall several months before it was clear. It wasn't guessing or dissecting of opinions that did it, rather examinations, complete with rows of numbers and statistics that leave memories that still make my head hurt, and for Bradley it all looked bad. I was taking a "Campaign 2000" seminar that year and chose as my topic for a research paper the campaign machinery of the major candidates at that time. (And I also must admit that this is why I obsess on it now.)

I voted for him in the primary, but by then it was all done, and my generally liberal vote where I am meant absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things.

The most interesting part of that research was the Bush/McCain battle. I *didn't* predict that one, but on reflection, I think the opinion I offered was tainted by personal bias. I don't like McCain, at all, but I hated him less that the alternative.

I did a side paper on Hatch and Keyes. That was pure comedy. :-)

[Bobbieo]

3. Very clever - the tortoise and the hares!!!

[Redneck Socialist]

4. Oh, god, he's got to run.

Pleeeeeaaaase run Al, pleeeaase!

Great article, thanks for the link.

[trudyco]

5. After seeing him look so natural and intelligent and sincere in

the Inconvenient Truth I really do hope he steps in. As the article says, you see him completely differently now.

I'm not sure if Clinton or Obama could win. Either of them or Edwards would make a great VP possibility. Personally I'd love to see Edward's wife as the VP candidate, but that's just me.

[AtomicKitten]

7. Re-Elect Gore 2008.

[northofdenali]

29. 100% Agreement with you, Kitten -

[KoKo]

8. He doesn't need to come in too early. Let the rest carry on

while he sits back like the RS Graphic shows and becomes the "Tortoise & the Hare."

Gore being the Tortoise who waits until the last. It's a good strategy...and if it doesn't work...well what does he care? He has a LIFE OUTSIDE POLITICS and doesn't need this Media Whore Crap of the Sports Game.

[welshTerrier2]

10. the candidate i support ...

will be someone who was in the front lines trying to stop the war ... "sitting on the sidelines playing politics" may be the perfect political strategy; it will not, however, earn a vote from me ...

[KoKo]

12. You didn't hear Gore's Anti War Rally Speeches sponsored by Move On.org.

where only those of us dedicated Net Roots could watch either on Move On or C-Span, then. I have them all taped and they were reported and linked numerous times here on DU. Gore was out there along with Kucinich & Dean way before any other candidates who are now just getting their "Act Together."

[KoKo]

14. Here's a Gore Speech Comment before we invaded Iran:

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:xXlzOpMD2i8J:www.commonwealthclub.org/archive/02/02-09gore-speech.html+Al+Gore%27s+Speeches+archived&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=firefox-a

[welshTerrier2]

15. i watched Al's MoveOn speeches

i liked them both. but the issue is NOW. we need our next nominee to be someone who joined us in the front lines.

[KoKo]

16. What "front lines" didn't Gore join in on?

:shrug:

[welshTerrier2]

18. the national dialog on Iraq

is finally happening. every candidate is asked about their position with every appearance they make. the Congress is all stirred up about exactly what power they have and how they can get bush to give them a voice.

the American people overwhelmingly oppose the war now and certainly do NOT support bush's surge.

Democrats have been speaking out against the war on a daily basis.

The last time I heard Al speak about the war was roughly four months ago (or something like that) ... i think it was on MTP but not sure. His answer was fairly noncommittal as i recall.

My only point, KoKo01, is that I think it's critical for our next nominee to have played a prominent role on Iraq. The picture in the OP may be "politically accurate" (i.e. Gore can jump in at anytime he wants) but I think it would be most unfortunate if he didn't assume a leadership role on Iraq NOW. One path MIGHT be better politics; the other path is just plain better. Anyone who wants in should lead on Iraq NOW.

[KoKo]

19. I just posted a Link to Gore Speech before Iraq Invasion...what

else do you want? It even has a video. You blame Gore that the MSCorporate Media wasn't crawling all over Gore's Speeches? You blame Gore because he spoke out in whatever forum he could and got NO MSCorporate Media Coverage? What about those of us who went to HUGE RALLIES BEFORE THE WAR STARTED TRYING TO STOP IT and GOT NO MEDIA COVERAGE!

[welshTerrier2]

22. blame Gore?

i think you better take another read on what i wrote. i haven't "blamed Gore" for anything.

[Apollo11]

43. Gore warned against the war before it started

I don't see how Al Gore could stop the war at this point, simply by taking part in a bunch of debates with Hillary, Obama and Edwards.

I say Congress should hold the administration to account for its actions in Iraq.

If you ask me - there is no magic overnight solution to the situation in Iraq.

Unfortunately - the world is not as simple as that.

[peacetalksforall]

9. HOOOORAAYYYY! ROLLING Stone. I'm with you! Timely, too.

[Dogmudgeon]

13. So Al Gore "owes us"

Maybe so.

So, what do we owe Al Gore? I mean, after ridiculing him, belittling him, and saying that he was just like Bush? (And I don't mean "just you", I mean "me, too".)

An apology, perhaps?

The Freepers still curse his name (usually modified to "Algore"). The James Inhofe Institute for Scientific Science thinks he's the architect of "the greatest hoax in the history of Man", i.e., global warming. They sure like making fun of "Sore Loserman" almost seven years down the line, in spite of the fact that his entire presidential bid has been vindicated.

The Counterpunch Left is still throwing a Full Metal Tantrum over the Clintons and Gore, even to the point of bringing up the PMRC at least once an issue, usually while fawning over their latest favorite blues musician. Gore has moved to the left more than most other Democrats, but they still think he's the same way he was in 1988. So much for their "nuanced" analysis, "informed by" critical theory -- their crit skills are no better than the Freepers'. I also notice that they have scrubbed their archives of most of the embarrassing articles accusing Gore of oppressing this minority or that, since Nader's portfolio was considerably less progressive than Gore's. They still sell Cockburn's 2000 anti-Gore screed -- at a deep discount. ("We're giving them away!")

If Gore runs, it will be up to US to make his run a cakewalk to the White House, after wisecracking at his expense in 2000. He's made his case, he's proved his worth, and I don't blame him if he doesn't want a replay of "not a nickel's worth of difference", "he'll have to earn my vote, harrumph!", "he's just like he was in 1988!", and "he's a corpo-fascist stooge! revolution now!". We held his feet to the fire, and when he ran on burned feet against the full fury of the Bush/Republican Slime Machine, we said, "Yer own yer own, Al ... see ya!"

The next criticism Gore should face from us demanding lefties is some time after he is sworn in as the President.

--p!

[welshTerrier2]

17. just like bush?

did i say that? i don't think so!

if you think i owe Gore an apology, you'll have to make a much better case than that.

I am greatly appreciative of Gore's efforts on global warming. it is one of the most critical issues we face. when i say he "owes us", i say that only IF he chooses to be a candidate. Because my standard for ANY candidate will be the role they played in helping end the war.

As for your statement that Gore should receive no criticism from us until after he is sworn in, it's hard to follow that logic. why should any candidate be above criticism? shouldn't we, the people, have a right to say our piece and try to influence our candidates? it seems to me as citizens we have an obligation to speak out.

[KoKo]

20. Okay...give us the DIRT on Gore...He invented the Internet...he and

Tipper were the model for "Love Story" and he dragged out the 2000 Selection and wore "Earth Tones" decided by someone in his campaign to make him look better, and he's too fat, and he's DLC before he dropped being DLC and he worked for Clinton and Tipper wanted to get rid of Movies by putting "ratings" on them and he's taken Corporate Money for his Environmental Documentary and ........and........and........and........and..........

Fill in the blanks.

[welshTerrier2]

24. sheesh...

what the hell are you jabbering about?

here, let me make this easier for you: please refer me to the role Al Gore has played over the last few months in addressing what many Americans seem to believe is currently the most important issue our country is facing. also, please explain whether you consider it to be important for someone seeking the WH in 2008 to have played an important part in shaping national policy on this critical issue.

truly, i am sick of candidate whiners. you are saying things and making accusations about things i have neither said nor implied. my belief is, and I'll restate it here, that i believe ANYONE running for office in 2008 owes the voters their participation on fighting bush's insane policy in Iraq. my statement, to clarify, is that ONLY IF Gore chooses to become a candidate would he have an obligation to have spoken out CURRENTLY on Iraq.

instead of starting up with me with all this "how dare you attack Al" bullshit, please try to focus on what i wrote. i like Al Gore and your attack is not worthy of you.

[Apollo11]

44. Don't forget Tipper tried to censor "Purple Rain"

She wanted Prince to re-record the whole album with songs about rainbows and bunny rabbits.

I mean the idea that a record should have some kind of label telling you about the content ...

What next from the crazy liberals?? Labels on food products telling you what it's made from????

PS - for those that didn't understand ... :sarcasm:

[Dogmudgeon]

26. I owe YOU an apology

I thought the entire thing was from the article.

Obviously, now that I looked it over and got the context, I'm a tad embarrassed by it. It's a good article.

~ Mea Culpa ~

And if Gore wants to jump in the day before the election, I'll vote for him.

--p!

[welshTerrier2]

33. thanks, Pigwidgeon

i really appreciate your follow-up.

[crispini]

23. I agree.

We owe Al Gore, if he is going to run, a grassroots organization pre-built. Check the links in my sig -- that is why I am working on the Draft Gore team already -- if there is the smallest chance that he might like to run, we will have a raft of volunteers who have signed up to help, ready on Day One.

Mr. Gore doesn't owe us anything. He has already served this nation capably with his work in the WH and on global warming. IF he gets in, it will be his choice and on his own timing. Besides, as KoKo pointed out above, he has already denouced the war a RAFT of times.

[Guaranteed]

21. He certainly does have a sizzle. It's been strong for quite a while now,

too.

[Maven]

25. I love that picture. nt

[Maven]

27. Yeah, "imagine that" Luntz

Gore was always dynamic--YOU tried to paint him as Mr. Dull, you fucking asshole. YOU are the problem.

[arewenotdemo]

28. Anyone know who NY would choose in a Gore/Giuliani contest?

[catgirl]

32. NY Will Choose Gore Overwhelmingly

It won't even be close.

[arewenotdemo]

49. very good to hear

[DianaForRussFeingold]

30. I Will Never Forget His Katrina Heroism! If Only Al Gore were President -Video

He has my vote, and I pray he will run! :patriot: :patriot: "Al Gore addressing the nation as if he was the President of the United States. Gore was focused and quite funny in this entertaining spoof of the current administration and their long range of failures. He also struck back at the media (update: when they claimed he said he invented the 'internets') by saying that he invented an "Anti-Hurricane and Tornado Machine."
Video-WMP Video-QT http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/05/14.html#a8280

"He touched on immigration, oil, the Middle East, judges and a host of other topics that have divided our country since Bush took office. I did enjoy GWB leading the charge to clean up Baseball's steroid problem: "But I have faith in baseball commissioner George W. Bush when he says, "We will find the steroid users if we have to tap every phone in America!" Do you have a favorite line?"

:kick:

[Eurobabe]

31. Erase the last 8 yrs. you got that right!

"Democratic voters in 2008 are not only looking to turn back the last eight years, but to erase the last eight years,"

I think MANY Americans, esp. moderate Rpublicans who allowed their lower brain to vote for Bush, are anxious to erase the Asshat legacy.

In my whole time home, 2 weeks, I have only seen ONE W04 sticker. Now that is amazing.

[outofbounds]

34. He was elected in 2000

Mr Gore has shown a deep compassion for this country and the rest of the world with the making of his film An Inconvenient Truth. I would vote for him period. The right wing thinks he is eccentric in his views portrayed in the movie, but now the weather channel has basically vindicated him. B*sh in his SOTU even referenced human caused climate change. Gore knew and believed this when he was elected in 2000. It is amazing to me how intelligent that makes him look now. With that kind of foresight, hindsight is irrelevant.

Now if he waits a while and lets the top candidates do the normal trashing and dehumanizing they do in every campaign, he will enter when the other candidates are worn down and he will be fresh. Also the other candidates time and focus will have been spent taring each other apart. The fresh perspective he would bring buy throwing his hat in at that time will bring a lot more face time with major media as well. The illustration in the OP may very well be the exact outcome.

Obama's inexperience, Hillary's baggage and attitude will make some not vote for them. Gore has experience, charisma, but most of all he has wisdom and foresight that speak volumes of his character. Don't get me wrong, I'll vote for the Dem nominee but I really want to lift Al Gore to the leader of the free world, and this time not have it stolen.

edit: to correct spelling

[KoKo]

35. The article quotes Repug pollster Frank Luntz so much it makes

me wonder if he is switching parties. I like that he said Gore can run a campaign on one word: "Imagine." (Imagine if the Supremes hadn't given the election to Bush).

[Apollo11]

47. Frank Luntz knows how to run a focus group

On British TV - BBC Newsnight hired him to run focus groups on who should lead both the Conservative Party (in 2005) and the Labour Party (in 2006).

He is a republican but that doesn't mean everything he says is wrong. At least he knows how to read polls (but then so do many of us ...).

[Recursion]

36. I really want to understand the anti-Gore perspective from 2000

I'm not trying to scold or berate anybody; I really just want someone to help me understand the anti-Gore sentiment because I think it's still strong in some people in this country. Even on this board, I've seen things like,
"I couldn't vote for Al Gore"
"I held my nose and voted for Gore"
"There's no difference between Gore and *"

Can someone who felt that way in 2000 pleas help me out here? What was it? Hiring Naomi "lapdances" Wolf? The claim (that he never made) to have invented the Internet? The claim (which was true) to have been part of the inspiration for Love Story? Were people just sick of our 8-year nightmare of peace and prosperity?

I really want to know what the problem people had with Gore was so we can fight it.

[NYCGirl]

40. I've always loved the guy. For perspective on 2000, check out The Daily Howler:

http://www.google.com/custom?q=Al+Gore+2000&sa=Google+Search&cof=AH%3Acenter%3BAWFID%3Ac32a032061318778%3B&domains=dailyhowler.com&sitesearch=dailyhowler.com

[Apollo11]

37. It's gotta be Gore!

Al Gore is doing a great job, raising awareness about the climate crisis. He spoke to an audience of ten thousand people in Boise on Monday, and is still on Tour!

It's great that "An Inconvenient Truth" has been nominated for an Academy Award. This can only mean that more people will see it. But AIT is really only the first step - convincing people that "Yes we have a problem". Much more needs to be done on developing and implementing solutions.

I honestly believe that Al Gore is the best person to lead this fight. One way to do it would be by entering the race for the Presidency. But there are other ways.

Right now Gore is working on his next book "The Assault on Reason" -- due out in May.

He has not ruled out being a candidate again and is keeping his options open.

I honestly believe Gore is the best person for the job. Hillary and Edwards both showed poor judgement in supporting Bu$h-Cheney on Iraq (even if I welcome Edwards change of heart on this issue). Obama might be a strong candidate some day - but he can wait a few more years. Clark is great but he lacks political experience and has never won an election campaign.

Let's all find ways to show our support for Al Gore! :)

In Gore We Trust
www.algore.com
www.algore.org
www.draftgore.com - Sign the petition!
www.draftgore2008.org
www.patriotsforgore.com

[Cha]

38. I "perceived" Al Gore

6 years ago as I do now..I like him!

hillary's worst nightmare.

[Jennicut]

39. I have liked Al Gore since he ran as VP in '92

I was only 16 but even then I could tell he was a sincere, hardworking, intelligent man. I always liked him better than either of the Clintons. Compared to them, he and his family seemed so normal. In 2000 I just knew that Bush would find some way to win by using some kind of slimy tactics. I was so mad at Nader and his activists as I knew that there was a huge difference between Bush and Gore ideologically as well as personally. I wished Al had ran in 2004 but understand that he did not want to run against Bush and his crazy loons again but I really hope he thinks about 2008. He has become more progressive on some issues and has been prescient on so many things: Iraq, the environment, on Bush. If he decides finally to not run than I think many of his supporters would understand as he went through hell in 2000. Still, the door is just wide enough for someone to jump in at the last minute, someone who would cause a stir if they did and someone who would leave Hillary feeling threatened.

[JNelson6563]

41. He's spoken out against Iraq for years

and if he decides to run but waits so what? He wouldn't stop speaking his mind between now and then. One needn't be a candidate in order to speak out or for their words to make a difference.

Julie

[Apollo11]

42. Gore should not enter the race before November 4th

I strongly disagree with the OP who is calling on Gore to enter the race now.

If you read the Rolling Stone article - it explains why Gore should not announce now.

I hope Gore does not make a final decision about 2008 until September at the soonest.

The best day for Gore to announce would be in the weekend of November 4th.

That will be exactly one year before election day, and 10 weeks before the Iowa caucuses.

Let's all find ways to show our support for Al Gore! :)

In Gore We Trust
www.algore.com
www.algore.org
www.draftgore.com - Sign the petition!
www.draftgore2008.org
www.patriotsforgore.com

[Ninja Jordan]

46. 10 weeks to win Iowa? Good luck.

How is he supposed to get a machine on the ground in that time? We saw what happened with Clark announcing too late. (I know Clark isn't Gore, but still there is something to be said about announcing earlier).

[Ninja Jordan]

45. Gore's problem is that Hillary and Obama will suck up all the donors

and the media attention.

[Apollo11]

48. Ninja should learn to be patient !!

Are you telling me that if Gore announces on November 4th (for example - on Meet the Press or Late Edition) -- he would stand no chance of winning the nomination???? :eyes:

Maybe you have a point about Iowa. But it's not always the case that Iowa predicts the national winner (OK - they did it last time with Kerry. But often they don't.)

Let's all find ways to show our support for Al Gore! :)

In Gore We Trust
www.algore.com
www.algore.org
www.draftgore.com - Sign the petition!
www.draftgore2008.org
www.patriotsforgore.com

[Apollo11]

50. Kick!

:kick: